Where to start for my LNA? IN NH

niko1999 RN BSN · Sep 17, 2010

The red cross offers a program that you can do. There is also LNA health careers and another one I can't think of at the moment lol. But you can apply for your license after only one semester of nursing school. Unfortunatley, there is no way around your gen eds, if you don't have them from previous college, then you gotta take them. So if I were you, I would start off with taking the accuplacer exam(again, if you don't have the prior math, english and computer classes), to get yourself placed into your classes. I know at GBCC you have to either place into math 145 from you accuplacer or work your way up from there into that class before you can get accepted into the program. It's really not uncommon for people to take three years for a two year program, especially nursing, b/c if you can help it, you really don't want to be taking your gen eds with your nursing classes--they'll kick your butt! Anyway, at GBCC, they want you to have your A&P's done BEFORE you start the program, though its not techincally a requirement. You're going to have to sign up for the NLN exam(depending on where you are, if they offer a pre course, which is free for students, I highly recommend it!)

I worked as an LNA for three years before I started the nursing program, and I think it did help a lot, because I was familiar with a lot of stuff already in the first semester. I did mine through LNA health careers, right in Dover. And you can get tuition reimbursement if you work in a LTC facility as well. Hope that was a little of help! Where are you looking to go?

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2010

2 years seems like entirely too much time to spend to become a LNA/CNA. Many RN/ADN programs are completed in that time (With Summer's off) maybe a Semester over.

KStrick · Sep 17, 2010

Thank you for the information. I was planning on going to Concord Tech. I live in Plymouth ~ so Dover is way too far for me with work and everything. I also thought 2+ yrs was more than what was necessary for LNA ~ but all I can find are courses through a school -- I will definately check out the red cross program. I was hoping to start at LNA and then after a couple years go back to school for RN or something. Anything other info you can pass on would really help -- I'm very new to the world of Nursing, so I really don't know alot :)

niko1999 RN BSN · Sep 17, 2010

I believe there are programs right there in Plymouth, done through the highschool, I could be mistaken though(I graduated high school and college from there!). Starting with your LNA is great experience, and will take about 8 weeks, that is how long mine took. There is clinical career training right in Bristol, Golden view health care in Meridieith, and Lakes Region right in Laconia all offer LNA training, check out the NH board of nursing for all the numbers and information. Lakes region also has a nursing program, and their campus is right up by the prison in that area. After you do that, look into taking your gen eds, get those out of the way, sign up to take your NLN(you can take that once every six months, so if you plan on taking it a year in advance to when you plan on applying, then you will have time to re-take if necessary!). Again make sure to get your sciences out of the way-A&P and micro. Schools like to see those done beforehand. And it adds extra points to your application. Plus, working as an LNA is a WAY cheaper way to find out if nursing is really for you! Good luck, and let me know if I can be of anymore help!

KStrick · Sep 17, 2010

wow! that is very helpful, I also just checked out the LNA Health Careers website -- that is definately more what I was looking for. I am hoping to do it in Laconia at night & it says it would take about 6 or 8 weeks. I just have to call them b/c I am going away in Nov. for 4 days -- I would miss a class or two. I'll check into the course being offered at Plymouth HS ~ I haven't heard anything, but that doesn't mean anything!! Just out of curiosity what year did you graduate Plymouth High?

About the gen. ed. classes - did you mean to get them out of the way before going for my LNA? or get them out of the way after LNA before going any further into a nursing career? I do have descent grades from high school algebra, biology & chemistry....not sure that counts??

Thank you again!

niko1999 RN BSN · Sep 17, 2010

Just let your instructor know ahead of time. Missing one day isnt horrible, but I think two days gets out you of the program, becaus just like nursing school, you need so much time in clinical that is mandated by the state. With your gen eds, do them before nursing school :) So if youre going to work as an LNA for a couple of years, that will give you plenty of time! Its good you had decent high school bio, algebra and chem, it is required that you have a C or better before you can even take A&P, let alone get into the nursing program. And I graduated from Plymouth High in 99. Im an old fogey lol. never got to see what it looked like after they reconstructed it :uhoh3:

KStrick · Sep 17, 2010

haha that's funny you think you're old ~ I graduated in 1998!! So I must know you -- my name is Kerri Drake, had an older brother, Chris & a younger one named Billy :) I've been in the school a couple times after the construction -- it's different!

niko1999 RN BSN · Sep 17, 2010

You might know me. I was only there for two years, transferred up from Florida. its funny, I was actually going to graduate a year early, but the guidance counselor I met with when I first moved to NH basically told me I wasn't smart enough and wouldn't be able to do it, even though I had a 3.75 GPA. Nice way to start eh? She ironically turned out to be my Composition professor my first year at Plymouth State, a school she claimed I would never get into. Though we're not supposed to, my name is Nicole LaChapelle. Nice to meet you:nurse:

KStrick · Sep 17, 2010

Oh I didn't realize we weren't supposed to put our names -- sorry, I'm new to this site, I guess that makes sense, since the posts are public :) That sucks about the guidance counselor telling you that you couldn't graduate early, but sounds typical for Plymouth!! haha Nice to meet you too & thanks for the help!

niko1999 RN BSN · Sep 17, 2010

No problem. Feel free to message me if you need any help, and good luck!!